The Real Democratic Contract w/ America. (Check it out)

[nickshepDEM]

# “Crack Down on Corruption: In contrast to conservative cronyism, shut the revolving door between corporate lobbies and high office. Prohibit legislators, their senior aides and executive branch political appointees from lobbying for two years after leaving office. Require detailed public reporting of all contacts between lobbyists and legislators. Pledge to apply this to all, regardless of party. Take the big money out of politics by pushing for clean elections legislation.”

# “Make America Safe: Commit to an independent investigation of the Department of Homeland Security's failures in response to Katrina. Detail action on the urgent needs that this Administration has ignored: Improve port security, bolster first responders and public health capacity, and require adequate defense planning by high-risk chemical plants. End the pork-barrel squandering of security funds.”

# “Unleash New Energy for America: In contrast to the Big Oil policies of the Administration that leave us more dependent on foreign supplies, pledge to launch a concerted drive for energy independence like the one called for by the Apollo Alliance. Create new jobs by investing in efficiency and alternative energy sources, helping America capture the growing green industries of the future.”

# “Rebuild America First: Rescind Bush's tax cuts for the rich and corporations, which create more jobs in China than here, and use that money to put people to work building the infrastructure vital to a high-wage economy. Start with challenging the Administration's trickle-down plans for the Gulf Coast, which will victimize once more those who suffered the most.”

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

http://www.ourfuture.org/onmessage/borosage/20051024_boro_cwa.cfm

(sorry if re-post)

[nashville_brook]

1. wow! i haven't seen this...

very cool.

[napi21]

2. Is this the one the Dems have been working on?

About a week ago, I read that the Dems were working on something like this! I'm still hoping they come up with a better name. Contract with America sounds like we stole it from Newt!

I'm very glad to see some results though! I think this is a great idea!

[phiddle]

3. Better name?

How about "American Pledge", American Compact, American Covenant

[nickshepDEM]

5. I like the American Pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the working people of this country. As a member of the U.S. _______ I herby pledge to fight for affordable health care, better wages, better benefits, less corruption, and an equal voice for all Americans. :)

[napi21]

6. I don't know what name. But do you understand how the Pubs will just say

we stole the name? I just don't want to do that.

I think we at DU could get suggestions from all our almost 80,000 members and come up with something unique for the Dems!

[dalaigh lllama]

10. I agree -- it needs a better name

Maybe borrow from FDR: The New Deal for the 21st century.

These ideas are just what this country needs. Surely someone here can come up with a good PR name? Something short and snappy, to hold the short and snappy attention spans of our opposite numbers over in freeperworld.

[Tiggeroshii]

17. I like that one

A new deal for the 21st century. It's old, but still new for the 21st century. Right on!
:applause:

[phiddle]

24. How 'bout the Real Deal.

[nickshepDEM]

27. Like it.

[Yupster]

15. I'd like them to

take Bush's name out of it.

Stop reacting. No one cares who you aren't

Just state your own case of who you are.

[shraby]

4. I think we need a quicker move to universal health

care. Right now too many don't have any or very little. The year 2015 is too far away.

Do away with all lobbying. Letters from constituents is sufficient. Lobbying just enriches those who don't need it and is an open invitation for graft and other illegalities.

[napi21]

7. Why do you say 2015? I'm thinking this "contract" means 2009.

Our ability to make musch happen before a Presidential election is slim to none!

[Selatius]

9. We need money to fund a new health care system first

It would make sense to first balance the budget before doing anything else. That will take several years to do, not to mention discretionary spending on Iraq. Once that issue is addressed, then a universal health care system can be implemented.

2015 is not bad. I am tempted to compare it to JFK's setting the goal of putting a man on the moon before the decade was over.

[Mojambo]

12. Yeah, I think 2015 is a rather ambitious date

It'll take time to recover from Bush's economic policies.

In the meantime we can implement plenty of stopgap measures into the currently broken system.

[flaminbats]

13. 2015..better than never

But insuring every worker will only increase support among younger voters for the unavoidable revenue increases necessary to keep Medicare solvent. IMO increasing Medicare and Social Security taxes on the X-generation, while providing nothing in return, would ultimately lead to a complete social breakdown in this country.

[hedda_foil]

8. This is VERY close to what Dean described in a talk in Chicago last week.

If this isn't the final version, it's probably cloe.

[Mojambo]

11. Somebody around here was throwing around "The Fair Deal" as a title.

It's rather plain, but it does harken back to another great Democratic program for America...

Besides all most people want is a fair shot at making it in America. The Republicans have stacked the deck against the American people.

(edit - I meant to reply to the post speculating about a better name)

[I_Make_Mistakes]

14. Why not a NEW Deal for the US? The only people that really

hated the NEW Deal are 1 to 5% of our population. I could actually hear an EMIMEM song (45yrs. old) with the the New AMERICAN DEAL.

[Johnny Noshoes]

19. I have a sound clip

of Teddy Roosevelt talking about a "Square Deal" for everyone in America. Maybe we can use an idea from an old Republican. Fair Deal sounds good too as it connects with FDR.

"Patriotism is not about blind loyalty to your nations leaders or founders, it is about a willingness to always look for the truth. Patriotism is about making your nation better for everyone, not just the rich."
--Nameless Soldier

[Tigress DEM]

16. On the same wavelength... with an added focus Common Sense Agenda

My post is about building consensus with not just DEMS but across the board. I think people in all parties are tired of being lied to and want a country the they can be proud of again.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2171816

I'm proud DEMs have a real agenda again. I like it.

[Tiggeroshii]

18. Maybe we'll have somethng better than Reid's silly "America can do better"

shpeal? Something more exciting like what a lot fo people have been proposing?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. DON'T use Republican framing! No "contract" talk, ok?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

21. Aside from title, this is great post. Nominated. This is the hard work

Hammering out positive platforms is the real hard work that is the foundation of politics. The Republicans gained the House in 1994 because they had a cohesive optimistic positive platform. Now is the time for Democratics to do the same, or else the people drifting away from the Republicans (running in droves?) won't be attracted to the Democratic Party. Must attract them and get out the vote. It begins with positive platforms and refreshing candidates.

I looked over the items, and at first glance, I can't disagree with any.

[unhappycamper]

22. nickshepDEM:

Please be aware that DU copyright rules require that excerpts of copyrighted material be limited to four paragraphs and must include a link to the original source.

Thanks.

unhappycamper
DU Moderator

[Claymore]

23. ....

This is all good stuff, but how are they proposing to pay for it?

[Rambis]

25. I hope this is published

This is a way to bring up the fact that the balanced budget amendment stated as one of the main goals in the contract with america never happened. It was a big bunch of hot air just like "tax relief" yeah for the rich. Middle class tax cuts! It has never been more evident that this country was built on the backs of the "middle class" and the working poor and we need to change that. Wake up Kansas!

[derby378]

26. A good start, but it needs some fine-tuning

This has to sway people in the heartland of America who dropped out of high school. The DLC have always been fans of the sales pitch, and maybe some selling savvy is needed here, but I think George Lakoff's framing strategies will do more for us than any sales job.

[xxqqqzme]

28. “Crack Down on Corruption...

Prohibit...from lobbying for two years after leaving office.

This needs to be longer - paying expenses...rent, utilities, salary for 24 months is chump change when U consider the pay-off. SIXTY months brings it back 2 reality. Very little policy changes occur in 24 months, much can happen in 5 years!

[FightinNewDem]

29. Very good point

I suspect that the two year period is designed to ensure that at least one electoral/legislative cycle passes before lobbying can occur.

I have been working on a "revolving door" bill in the NH legislature. Frankly, I will be happy with a one year prohibition; it's better than the current situation, where there is no ban at all for legislative officials (there is a 6 month period for certain executive branch officials).